9

Importin g DXF Files 551
Inter face
Expor t version
Export version—3ds Max allows you to export to
AutoCAD 2007, AutoCAD 2004, or AutoCAD
2000.
The next option lets you choose to export
everything in the current scene or only selected
objects:
•
Entire Scene—All objects in the scene are
exported.Thisisthedefaultsetting.
•
S el e cte d Ob j e cts—Only selected objects are
exported.Choosingthisisequivalenttousing
File > Export S elected (page 3–486).
Geometry Options group
Conver t Insta nces To B lock s—Converts instances to
AutoCAD block insertions. The block definition
usesthesamenameasthefirstinstanceconverted.
When turned off, each instance is converted as a
separate AutoCAD object. References are always
exported as separate objects.
Sk ip Hidden Objects—Toggles export of hidden
objects. When on, hidden objects are not
exported.
Ignore Ex tr ude Capping—When on, exports shapes
with Extrude modifiers as 2 D AutoCAD objects
w ith a thickness propert y, and ignores the state of
the Cap Start and Cap End parameters. When off,
shapes with Extrude modifiers that also have Cap
Start or Cap End on are exported as polyface 3D
meshes. Extruded circles, donuts, and rectangle
objectsexportasAutoCADcircles,donuts,and
trace objects w ith a thickness property.
AutoCAD I nter cha nge (DXF )
Files
Impor ting DXF Files
File menu > Import > Select File To Import dialog > Files
Of Type > AutoCAD (*.DXF)
If using a DWG file is not an option, the DXF file
form at is the next best method of getting design
data to and from 3ds Max. Most commonly, DXF
files are used to import and export mo deling data
to and from CAD programs that hav e support for
DXF but not DWG files.
When you import an DXF file, the software
converts a subset of AutoCAD objects to
corresponding 3ds Max objects. Importing DXF
files employs the same methods as importing
DWG files. For more information, see Importing
AutoCAD Drawing Files (page 3–536).